Today I want to highlight a verse that doesn’t often get much attention.  I don’t know about you, but introductions to Paul’s letters in the Bible don’t usually warrant a lot of attention for me.  In fact, most of the time I read the words and my brain runs over them looking for the “important” verse.  

Of course, we know that all scripture is inspired of God and therefore every verse is useful for teaching – as I learned this morning.

Our Text

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Romans 1:1 KJV

Paul was a SERVANT

The first thing that stood out to me in this verse is that Paul knew his relationship with his authority. The very foundation of Paul’s success in ministry and his entire foundation of writing this Book of Romans is that he is a servant.  

In fact, in another part of Scripture he writes, 

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV). 

Paul’s foundation is a knowledge that he isn’t allowed to do anything other than what Christ in him desires to do.  

Notice this verse doesn’t say servant to Christ but servant of Christ.  Yes you are serving Christ with your actions, but they are meant to be lived out toward other people.  

What do I mean? 

It doesn’t do God any good for you to sit down and do 23.5 hours of Bible study every day.  Eventually it’s your responsibility to actually go serve others as a representative of Christ. 

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV

Paul was CALLED

The foundation of Paul’s calling was his servant mentality with regard to Christ Jesus.  Long before Paul ever went on the mission field, wrote two thirds of the New Testament or performed any miracles in his ministry he first learned to simply obey. 

You don’t call yourself into a specific position – only God can place you in ministry. 

The foundation of entering into ministry is serving.  

That service starts long before you end up with a ministry title. 

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1 Timothy 1:12 KJV

Paul’s calling was there, but it was his faithfulness that put him in the ministry.  

You just gotta keep showing up!  And that’s really good news because none of us are perfect. 

Paul was SEPARATED

The third and final thing I noticed was that Paul knew what his calling required.  He says, “separated unto the gospel of God,”

Paul couldn’t simply live the way he wanted to live and be considered a servant of Christ and walk worthy of the calling on his life. 

Paul’s lifestyle was a reflection of how deeply and effectively he wanted to live in his relationship with Christ. 

How will YOU live?

This verse challenged my commitment to my lifestyle of faith.  The opportunity is right in front of you (and me) to either press in and live a lifestyle worthy of Christ’s sacrifice or to pull back and live one foot in the world. 

The choice is up to you! 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post.  If you have any questions or prayer requests, please feel free to reach out via chat or email at [email protected], and check out a few of my other blog posts here if you haven’t already.